Thoughts Following the La Loche Tragedy

Friday afternoon was just another day in the office…or so I thought. I was not prepared to hear the devastating news that sent shockwaves across the nation. As I was leaving work at the end of the day, I turned my cell phone on and discovered numerous messages from my friend from La Loche.

It was then that he broke the news to me about the school shooting. I was in complete shock, especially after he told me how he was personally affected by the tragedy. Afterwards we kept in touch daily because he said he needed a friend to mourn with despite the miles between us. He confessed he was struggling to refrain from consuming alcohol as a way to numb the overwhelming pain. Instead, he has been playing in hockey tournaments along with other community members to raise money for the victims’ families.

He has been very open with me about the many emotions he is feeling. I think that is a good thing, because reaching out to others is the first step in the healing process.

Caroline Tait, an Indigenous health expert from the University of Saskatchewan, said in a recent CBC article that the healing must come from within and that “it is vital that people from La Loche, Sask. help drive the community’s healing process.” She expressed confidence in the strength of the community “to get through this tragedy, if they’re given proper resources.”

Charlie Angus, author of Children of the Broken Treaty, spoke about the need to attain those proper resources in the House of Commons on Monday, saying that “condolences are not enough. . . Parliament must take action.” Angus said the federal government often ignores mental health needs in isolated northern communities.

Which begs the question: could this tragedy have been prevented if the proper resources were in place? Action is definitely needed to ensure the community can heal from such a heartbreaking ordeal.

Until resources are implemented in the community, lending a shoulder and an ear to my friend is the one thing I can do for him as he starts his healing journey. Prayers to the La Loche community.